Side pocket for brief cases and the like



' April 13, 1943. H. -J. GUENTHER EIAL 2,316,328

SIDE POCKET FOR BRIEF CASES AND THE LIKE Filed June 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTO s HmzryJ Gate ker' Gearye G GueIzfkeI-E ATTORNEY p i 13, 19 3. H. J. GUEN'THER HAL zswsz SIDE POCKET FOR BRIEF CASES AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1941 INVENTORS Hen ry J Gamer/c2! George G'Gazerzzker v ATTORNEY Patented Apr. '13, 1943 r orics SIDE POCKET FOR BRIEF CASES AND THE LIKE Henry J. Guenther and George G. Guen ther, New York, N. Y.

Application June 4,1941, Serial No. 396,552 3 Claims. (Cl. 150-113) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in side pockets for brief cases and the like.

More particularly, the invention proposes, in a brief case, a pair of adjacent walls and elements connecting edge portions of the walls to form a pocket, and a novel arrangement of a slide fastener or slide fasteners on the edge portions of the walls for holding the pocket closed.

The invention contemplates numerous modified forms in which the slide fastener or slide fasteners are arranged in different positions and relations with respect to certain other parts. It is also contemplated to construct and arrange the pocket or pockets in different fashions.

In one form of the invention it is proposed to provide an auxiliary pocket structure releasibly mounted in the side pocket of the brief case.

Still further the invention proposes another arrangement in which there is a control for determining just hpw far the pocket will open and close.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a front perspective view of a brief case constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the brief case shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to Fig. but illustrated with the pocket open.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an auxiliary removable pocket structure which is adapted to be engaged in the pocket shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a brief case with,

a side pocket constructed in accordance with a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken onthe line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of one of the walls forming the pocket shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a brief case constructed with a side pocket in accordance with a modified form of this invention.

The side pocket for brief cases,in accordance with this invention, is shown applied to a conventi nal briei case l2. This brief case departs from he conventional in the fact that it is provided with a.pair of adjacent walls 13 and I4 and elements connecting the edge portions of these walls together to form a pocket l5. These elements comprise gussets l6 at the sides, and stitches l1 and I8 along the bottom edge and the corners. A flap i9 is mounted upon the top portion of the wall l3 and is adapted to engage over the top portion of the wall [4 by which the pocket may be closed. A lock device I9 [9 is arranged to lock the flap [9 closed when desired.

A slide fastener or slide fasteners are so arranged as to assist in holding the pocket [5 closed.

More specifically, in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5 these slide fasteners are arranged along the edge portions of the gussets l6. Each gusset I6 has slide fastener stringers 20 secured on the edge portions thereof, and a control slide 2| associated with these stringers by which the fasteners may be closed. Fig. 2 illustrates the closed positions of the side pocket while Fig. 3 illustrates its fully opened position.

An auxiliary removable pocket structure 22 is provided which may be removably engaged in the pocket I5 when desired. This pocket structure 22 includes a back wall 23 upon which the pockets 24 and 25 are mounted. The back wall 23 is provided with snap fastener elements 26 which are cooperative with complementary snap fastener elements 21 mounted on the wall I3 by which the auxiliary pocket may be removably positioned within the pocket l5. The back wall 23 is formed with integral flap extensions 23 and 23 which may be secured together by snap fasteners 23, to cover pockets 24 and 25 when it is desired to carry the removable pocket 22 separately.

In Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive a modified form of the Y invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior form in an arrangement whereby it is possible to control the amount to which the pocket l5 will open. This control is in the nature of a control for the gussets I6. Each gusset l6 'has one of its side portions l6 arranged to be adjustably mounted on the adjacent wall l3. More specifically, the wall I3 is provided with a plurality of slots 30 through which the-edge portions l6 of the gussets may be laced in different ways.

Figs. 6 and 7 show one possibility for this lacing. The slide fastener which is associated with each of these gussets is also aranged in a particular way. It comprises a stringer of hooks 20 mounted upon the stationary end of the gusset l6, and another stringer of hooks 20 which is mounted upon the free edge of the gusset IS. The usual control slide 2| is associated with these stringers. The slots 80 are of such width that it is necessary to force the stringers 2| through them when it is desired to release and remount the gussets it.

With the parts as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 'Z the pocket l5 may be opened until the gussets it are tight. if it is desired to change this capacity it is merely necessary to force the stringers 20' through the slots 30 through which the gussets i6 are laced, and relace the gussets their ends to the gussets l8. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to theprevious form and like parts are identified by like reference numerals.

While we have illustrated and described t1- preferred embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A brief case having a pair of adiacent walls pivctaiiy connected together at their bottom edges and having expandable gussets between their side edge portions forming a pocket, each gusset having one of its edge portions securely attached to the side edge portion of one ofsaid walls and its free end laced through certain of a plurality of slots formed in the other of said 1 walls, and means attaching the free edge of each of said gussets to its respective attached end after being passed through said slots for drawing said'pocket into a partially closed position.

2. A brief case having a pair of adjacent walls pivotally connected together at their bottom edges and having expandable gussets between their side edge portions forming a pocket, each gusset having one of its edge portions securely attached to the side edge portion of one of said walls and its free end laced through certain of a plurality of slots formed in the other of said walls, and means attaching the free edge of each of said gussets to its respective attached end after being passed through said slots for drawing said pocket into a partially closed position, comprising hook fasteners mounted on the attached edge of each of said gussets, and complementary hook fasteners mounted on the free edge of each of saidgussets and engageable with'said first mentioned hook fasteners.

3. A brief case having a pair of adjacent walls :ivotally connected together at their bottom ges and having expandable gussets between 1; side edge portions forming a pocket, each gusset having one of its edge portions securely attached to the side edge portion of one-of said walls and its free end laced through certain of a plurality of slots formed in the other of said walls, and means attaching the free edge of each of said gussets to its respective attached end after being passed through said slots for drawing said pocket into a partially closed position, said plurality of slots being formed in groups adjacent v the free edge of each of said gussets, said slots of each group being formed to diverge upwardly so that the free edges of said gussets may be engaged with the slots in varying combinations to vary the operative length of said gussets.

HENRY J. GUEN'I'HER. GEORGE G. GUENTHER. 

